Phil Jackson to Pau Gasol: Marc Gasol is Tougher

The Zen Master has needled Pau about a supposed lack of toughness ever since the Lakers acquired him, and no matter how many titles the big fella wins for him, Jackson simply won’t let it go. The latest jabs (jokingly, of course), via the LA Times: “So do the Lakers have the wrong Gasol? Of course not. But Lakers Coach Phil Jackson jabbed at his all-star forward when asked about Pau Gasol going up against his brother, Marc, when the Lakers play Memphis on Tuesday at Staples Center. ‘It’s been very hard on him,’ Jackson said of past battles in the post between the brothers. “A lot of times we say we traded the wrong guy and tell him that Marc is a tougher, more powerful player than he is. [Marc] doesn’t have the shooting touch yet, but his defense, his rebounding is very good. He gets a kick out of playing against Pau. He’s actually a little more physical than Pau is. I like to bring it to [Pau’s] awareness.’ The Lakers acquired Pau in February 2008 for Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Javaris Crittenton, two first-round picks and the rights to Marc, who the Lakers drafted with a second-round pick in 2007.”